XXXV

They asked a profoundly-learned man, saying, “What
is your opinion of consecrated bread, or almstaking?”
He answered, “If with the view of composing
their minds, and promoting their devotions, it is lawful
to take it; but if monks collect for the sake of an
endowment, it is forbidden. Good and holy men
have received the bread of consecration for the sake
of religious retirement; and are not recluses, that
they may receive such bread.”

XXXVI

A dervish came to put up at a place where the master
of the house was a gentleman of an hospitable disposition.
He had as his guests an assembly of learned and witty
men, each of whom was repeating such a jest, or anecdote,
as is usual with the facetious. Having travelled
across a desert, the dervish was much fatigued, and
well-nigh famished. One of the company observed,
in the way of pleasantry, “You must also repeat
something.” The dervish answered, “I
am not, like the others, overstocked with learning
and wit, nor am I much read in books; and you must
be satisfied with my reciting one distich.”
One and all eagerly cried, “Let us hear it.”
He said, “Hungry as I am, I sit by a table spread
with food, like a bachelor at the entrance of a bath
full of women!”

They applauded what he said, and ordered the tray
to be placed before him. The lord of the feast
said, “Stay your appetite, my friend! till my
handmaids can prepare for you some forced meat.”
He raised his head from the tray, and answered, “Say
there is no need for forced meat on my tray, for a
crust of plain bread is sufficient for one baked as
I have been in the desert.”

XXXVII

A disciple complained to his ghostly father, saying,
“What can I do, for I am much annoyed by the
people, who are interrupting me with their frequent
visits, and break in upon my precious hours with their
impertinent intrusions.” He replied, “To
such of them as are poor lend money, and from such
as are rich ask some in loan; and neither of them
will trouble you again.” Let a beggar be
the harbinger of an army of Islam, or the orthodox,
and the infidel will fly his importunity as far as
the wall of China.

* * * *
*

XXXIX

A drunken fellow had lain down to sleep on the highway,
and was quite overcome with the fumes of intoxication.
An abid was passing close by, and looking at him with
scorn. The youth raised his head, and said, “Whenever
they pass anything shameful they pass it with compassion.—­Whenever
thou beholdest a sinner, hide and bear with his transgressions:
thou, who art aware of them, why not overlook my sins
with pity?—­Turn not away, O reverend
sir! from a sinner; but look upon him with compassion.
Though in my actions I am not a hero, do thou pass
by as the heroic would pass me.”